- a beautiful stranger with a replica of the sky on his back, dainsleif is just as much of a mystery than the abyss itself – perhaps because he’s made the abyss his life, refraining from the excessive idleness of mortals.
- initially, the words you exchanged were concise and blunt, always concerning the mentions and sightings of abyss mages and nothing more. “three were spotted at windrise – they’re not usually there,” or “clusters of monsters gathering around cecilia garden with an abyss mage at the head.” although, as hunting partners gradually do, the space between begins filling itself with more than just mere acquaintance. and over the coming weeks, it blooms into a safe comradery.
- one night, you ask if you can come along on his abyss herald hunt. the trail for mages has gone stale, and you think it’s about time you investigate together instead of being passing informants – always breaking off into your own paths, never with one another.
- dainsleif beckons you with him without comment. traveling with him is calming, even soothing in some aspects with only the sound of your footsteps and the wind. his presence is … composed. there’s an air of experience to him that extends past his routine motions and seeps into his smooth face – could you call his stance timeworn? or would that be offensive … ?
- not like he’s a man of much emotion anyways.
- “here, traces of dead ley line sprouts. be careful, dain.”
- “likewise.”
- the trail is thin, dissipating with each passing blow of the wind. dainsleif takes care to watch your steps, surveying the area around the two of you as you work and investigate. this companionship is nice. while it’s naturally efficient, it’s been a long, long time since he’s been able to share in his … hobbies with someone. granted, not the most orthodox of past-times, but your shared vigor towards hunting the abyss is something in itself to bond over.
- each hunt thereafter is shared between the both of you. dainsleif learns a lot about you, even if you don’t spend most of your time in discussion. your mannerisms, albeit small, he learns to recognize as an indication of your opinions and worries. and, funnily enough, he’s also the first to offer food breaks, and whether it be over cliffs or at riverbanks, you both eat next to each other.
- “something on your mind?”
- “only what lays ahead of us.”
- what a forward thinker he is. just as he keys himself in on your gestures, you have the same amount of time to read him – but you always end up right where you began, with the rich blue of the sky that encases his neck and flows like water from his shoulders.
- sometimes, whatever is on his mind you wish was coming from his lips instead.
- “how is the food?”
- oh, the food – you can taste onions, potatoes, and carrots in it (very mondstadtian), and the flavor makes you feel warm and content. he did cook for this trip, something that you hadn’t asked for but yet he took upon himself anyways.
- you offer a gentle smile. “it’s great. thank you. i didn’t know you were versed in cooking.”
- “time has given me the chance to try, at least. i’m glad i can provide for you.”
- it’s as if his cape engulfs the sky; about time to settle in for the night, and you both compromise that you can continue the hunt in the morning when there’s enough light. so you situate next to the wide trunk of an oak, backs pressed against the bark and blankets over your bodies. but despite the drowsiness that dusts over your eyelids, dainsleif is as alert as usual.
- and his sapphire gaze flits about. from the darkness into the forest, to the dim illumination of the constellations above, and finally towards your figure as you struggle to get comfortable for the night.
- “i will keep watch for now.” his reassurance is soft, much like the shoulder pad you find your head resting against. you peer up at him curiously as his fingers graze your cheek, caught off-guard by the gentleness this enigma of a traveler suddenly supplies for you. “we’ll continue in the morning.”
- while your sleep isn’t dreamless – it’s overflowing with the sun and ruins – you feel … light, like a crystalfly as it floats towards celestia, and morning comes with the sensation of his fingers on your cheeks once more.